Harlem Shake Co-Creator Murdered in His Brooklyn Home

Prayers up.

Jesse (Smiley) Rutland was shot in his home in Brooklyn last month, as reported by the Daily News. On December 10, he was rushed from his house in East Flatbush, N.Y. to Kings County Hospital where he died.

Rutland was part of the Crazy Boyz Dance Crew, which developed the famous “Harlem Shake,” which was the highlight of hip-hop videos and dance routines in the early 2000s. Maurice Strayhorn, another founder of the group, wrote an emotional post six days after the shooting.

“Jesse (Smiley) Rutland has been senselessly murdered on in his home with his children nearby. He was shot at 7:35 a.m. His 6 year-old son attempted to revive him and ran out in the snow seeking help from a neighbor,” Strayhorn wrote on his Facebook page.

Kumar Reid was arrested for Rutland’s murder on the same day. The 29 year old is charged with second-degree murder and weapons possession. His lawyer Jay Schwitzman pleaded not guilty on his behalf, but if he is convicted he faces 25 years to life in prison.

The motive for Rutland’s murder is still unknown. He leaves behind a wife and young son.